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Summary

Aluminium and brass medal featuring outline of Australia in aluminium with the inscription in cast relief 'WHITE AUSTRALIA'. Australia is held within a brass circle, inscribed 'AUSTRALIA FOR THE AUSTRALIANS'. The reverse die is cracked. Probably made around 1910.

The medal was commissioned by the Australian Natives' Association, in an expression of support for the 'White Australia' policy. The White Australia policy, which severely restricted entry of non-British immigrants, was a key expression of the new nation's identity. Tariff protection and immigration restrictions were considered essential to the survival of a European nation at the edge of Asia and the Pacific. The medal employed the metal aluminium to visually proclaim that Australia should be white.

The Australian Natives' Association was a Friendly Society which provided benefits to its Australian-born members. It was a staunch supporter of trade protection and immigration restriction, and Prime Minister Alfred Deakin was a member.

Physical Description

Aluminium medal featuring outline of Australia with inscription in cast relief. Australia is held within a brass circle, also inscribed. Small decorative scroll across top, pierced with ring at top for hanging. The reverse die is cracked across both border and insert.

Obverse Description

At centre an aluminium insert map of Australia; across, WHITE / AUSTRALIA; around on brass, ooo AUSTRALIA FOR THE AUSTRALIANS

Reverse Description

on map, PROTECTION; around on border, ooo POPULATION . PRODUCTION . PROGRESS The reverse die is cracked across both border and insert.

Issued By

Inscriptions

Obverse: at centre an aluminium outline of Australia; 'WHITE / AUSTRALIA'; around on brass, 'ooo AUSTRALIA FOR THE AUSTRALIANS'
Reverse: on map, 'PROTECTION'; around on border, 'ooo POPULATION . PRODUCTION . PROGRESS'.